Syrian activists say at least 24 rebels have died in battle for army base in country's north

FILE - In this Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 file photo, released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian army soldiers take their positions on a street in Sabina suburb which Syrian troops captured, south of Damascus, Syria. Despite global outrage over the use of chemical weapons, Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government is successfully exploiting divisions among the opposition, dwindling foreign help for the rebel cause and significant local support, all linked to the same thing: discomfort with the Islamic extremists who have become a major part of the rebellion. (AP Photo/SANA, File)
(The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013 file photo, damages are seen in the town of Hejeira, which Syrian troops captured, in the countryside of Damascus, Syria. Despite global outrage over the use of chemical weapons, Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government is successfully exploiting divisions among the opposition, dwindling foreign help for the rebel cause and significant local support, all linked to the same thing: discomfort with the Islamic extremists who have become a major part of the rebellion. (AP Photo, File)
(The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013 file photo, people walk on a street between destroyed buildings in the town of Hejeira, which Syrian troops captured, in the countryside of Damascus, Syria. Despite global outrage over the use of chemical weapons, Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government is successfully exploiting divisions among the opposition, dwindling foreign help for the rebel cause and significant local support, all linked to the same thing: discomfort with the Islamic extremists who have become a major part of the rebellion. (AP Photo, File)
(The Associated Press)